Mars in Libra is approaching its square to Pluto in Capricorn. Meanwhile, Venus and Jupiter in Scorpio are both moving into a trine with Neptune in Pisces.

As Venus trines Neptune and Jupiter also moves into a trine with Neptune the themes of redemption, faith, renewal, and restoration are in the air, even as Mars bears down on its square to Pluto and penetrates into even deeper layers of unconscious material, both personal and collective. It's an interesting combination of planetary aspects perfecting at the same time.

For example, I've seen several clients in the past week experiencing tremendous upheavals while simultaneously receiving unexpected forms of support, unique opportunities, or an inherent sense of trust and optimism. This is reflected of course by the intensity of Mars' square to Pluto while the planets of friendship, beauty, hope, and faith are moving into a trine with the planet of imagination, compassion, and mysticism.

It's worth mentioning today that as Mars squares Pluto it will also be dark/new Moon time, so the entire upcoming lunar cycle, taking us right up to the winter solstice, will be toned by the Mars/Pluto square as well as the Jupiter/Neptune trine.

In most ancient astrological philosophy the earth, sometimes referred to as the "sublunary" sphere is thought to be generally ruled by the Moon. The Moon is the fortune of all, or the operating rule of karma, of cause and effect, or fate. In the seasonal progression of the zodiac, the sign most associated with the descent into materiality, into the realm of karma, fate, and cause and effect, is Libra. The Libran time of year, zodiacally speaking, is the time of year when the darkness takes over. The darkness taking over is another astrological symbol of the operating rule of materiality (cause and effect or karma), just like the Moon. It's not a coincidence that Libra is the sign of the balance, a mechanistic object reflecting the world of cause and effect in general. So, when Mars is coming into a square with Pluto from the sign of the balance, we are about to experience a series of fated, karmic events that will be Mars-like and Plutonian (catalyzing, challenging, deep, transformative, intense). Most of us, though we all value consciousness and freedom, are not wiser than fate, nor are we enlightened enough to override the cosmic laws of karma just because we have enlightened intellectual values. Studying astrology is, therefore, first and foremost, about teaching us how to respond to our destiny as beings who are, for better or worse, living under the powers of the Moon.

And yet...isn't it interesting that we see Venus and Jupiter moving into a trine with Neptune right now? It's a simple way of saying that even the opportunity for spiritual growth, a renewal of faith, or a sense of trust, is a destined part of the cosmic order in this sublunary world. Most astrology works just like this. For every destined, challenging event depicted in the stars, there is some picture of grace, of grasping the larger whole, of growing in our intelligence and love. We may not be able to change every aspect of the future, but it's safe to say that every aspect of the astrological future is always inherently an opportunity to plant the seeds of a faithful, loving, intelligent, response. The response, in turn, becomes the seed of a new future, and this is how we gradually change our destiny and awaken the soul.

But the response is always the most important thing, because at the end of the day it's really not about outcomes, past, present, or future, as much as it is about relationships. How could it be any other way for an eternal soul who has nothing to gain and nothing to lose, ultimately, in any outcome?​Prayer: Teach us the call and response of life under the Moon.

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Author

Adam Elenbaas is a professional astrologer and the founder of the Nightlight Astrology School. Adam holds an MA and MFA in English and Creative Writing and is one of the founding writers at RealitySandwich. To learn more about Adam, click here.